Until recently, I have always assumed I had just one body comprised of a skeleton, nerves, muscles, blood, organs and many other wondrous squishy and mushy parts. However, according to Ayurvedic teachings, I’ve learned that I am the proud “owner” of at least five bodies! In Ayurveda, these bodies, sheaths or “envelopes” are referred to as koshas, and each of us has these subtle layers that surround our atma, or soul.
This article introduces the Five Koshas and includes ways that we can connect with each of our sheaths, and how we can balance them when needed.
The Five Bodies
“The five koshas are unseen sheaths surrounding our body that sense energy. Each human being has an 'etheric double', a subtle body. In the Tantras, the human body is regarded as made up of five envelopes or cosmic folds, the sheaths or koshas, creating layers of decreasing density.” – Ajit Mookerjee[1]
Annamaya – The Foundation
The body we are most familiar with is the annamaya kosha, the physical body. The term annamaya means “comprised of food”—which can be taken literally to mean that we are in fact, what we eat! The anamaya kosha is our only tangible body, which is comprised of skin, bones, muscle, tissues, organs, blood and water.[2]
Governs our physical systems and Ayurvedic constitutions
The body where we experience all the others; literally comprised of food
Signs of imbalanced annamaya kosha: Separation from the physical body and lack of awareness of Ayurvedic constitution
We can balance this kosha through practicing our asanas, especially standing poses, and by having an appropriate diet and lifestyle
Pranamaya – The Aura
The second layer of our body is the pranamaya kosha, the aura. This layer is about 2½ inches away from our skin and is comprised of our pranic life force. Our pranayama reveals if we are stressed or peaceful via our breath[3].
Governs our flow of prana, chakras and nadis
Made of our pranic life force; gives off vibrations of how we breathe
Signs of imbalanced pranamaya kosha: Energy blockages, especially in the chakras; lack of breath awareness
We can balance this kosha by connecting to breath, practicing pranayama, connecting to nature and other sources of prana
Manomaya – The Ego
Our third layer is the manomaya kosha, and is most closely associated with the concept of “ego” or “edging God out”. Our egos are how we identify based on situation, circumstance and/or mood. For example, I could say “I am Ondi, and I am a yoga teacher.” Or, depending on who I am talking to, I might say “I am Ondi, Jewel’s mom and James wife.” In short, the manomaya kosha is who we think we are—it is the labels we give ourselves and it is comprised of all of our knowledge, collective experiences and our personality.
Governs our habitual unconscious patterns of thought and emotion
Consists of everything we know and believe, including our sense of self and our personality
Signs of imbalanced manomaya kosha: Lack of awareness of thought patterns; egotistical, self-obsessed and low-self esteem
We can imbalance this kosha by practicing Yoga Nidra, pratyahara and turning your awareness inward for exploration and healthy expression
Vijnanamaya – The Wise One
Our vijnanamaya kosha is our wisdom aspect and it is like a point in our mind which observes without judgement and operates from intuition and truth seeking[4].
Governs the faculty of higher mind, wisdom, discernment and intuition
Source of intuitive wisdom; receiver of “downloads” from the universe
Signs of imbalanced vijnanamaya kosha: Unable to see the big picture; trapped in a material universe and ego-driven
We can balance this kosha by meditating daily, following our intuition, and letting go of ego and connecting to higher self
Anandamaya – The Knowing
Our inmost feelings, what is called chitta in yogic thought, make up our anandamaya kosha—our bliss layer—and is the love at the core of our being[5]. When we achieve self-realization, when we expand past our koshas, we reach our true essence which is bliss.
Most connected to natural self; free from worries, stress, aches and pain
Our truest form, where we are self-actualized, and we become one with an experience
Signs of imbalanced anandamaya kosha: Attachment to spiritual experience and an inability to integrate natural self into everyday living
We can balance this kosha by practicing yoga, playing an instrument, getting lost in nature, studying yoga and the nature of our true selves
A Personal Note
The principals contained within the Vedic knowledge about Kosha’s really resonated with my beliefs. I firmly believe that every living being is connected to one source; that we have a universal commonality at our core. We are connected to this “oneness” before we take physical form, and when we are born, we don temporary costumes that mask our true nature. As we age, we are inundated with trappings—some have followed from former lives (our samskaras), and some challenges are new to this round of life.
Yogic practices are vast, and the paths towards samadhi are different for everyone. At this juncture of my life, I am content with being a dedicated and lifelong student in the school of Knowledge of Self. The Koshas are but one avenue on this journey, and I am looking forward to both the adventure and the destination. ॐ
[1] Mookerjee, Ajit. Kundalini: The Arousal of the Inner Energy ©1982; pp. 12. [2] Ketabi, Sahara Rose. Idiot’s Guides Ayurveda ©2017; pp. 267. [3] Ketabi, Sahara Rose. Idiot’s Guides Ayurveda ©2017; pp. 268. [4] Syed, Sara, et. al. Mindful Cleveland Yoga Teacher Training Manual © 2019; pp. 137. [5] Frawley, David. Yoga & Ayurveda © 1999; pp. 83.